Monday, 24 November 2014

I hear an Umno Division Chief from Pulau Pinang has tendered his resignation via a letter to Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

I hear the Divison Chief's drastic move is linked to the controversial redevelopment project of the Butterworth RMAF base.

I hear the grassroots leader and elected representative is upset that the federal government has refused to put a stop to the mega redevelopment project, that was reportedly approved during Pak Lah's reign as PM.

The project is also said to be linked to some of Pak Lah's men but I hear the main point of contention was the risk of relocating 'military votes' out of a certain constituency.

I hear most Umno grassroots leaders and elected representatives in Penang were against the mega relocation of military personnel and their families of the famous Butterworth Airforce base but only a sole people's representative was willing to put his neck on the line. The rest, I hear, have put Ringgit Malaysia signs around their neck.

The fact that his fellow 'fighters' have sold their soul could have triggered the Division Chief's drastic action. I may be wrong, but this is what I heard.

Forgive me if I'm wrong but if this is indeed true then the act of a Ketua Bahagian openly announcing his resignation during the Umno General Assembly would leave a bad taste and a long tale.

Sunday, 23 November 2014

We have known more about 1MDB and the once notorious Cayman Islands in the last one week than in the last one year or so.

We know now that the notorious Cayman Islands also boasts big names and corporate giants, including the HSBC, in their list of clients and fund managers parking their money (in all kinds of currencies) in the offshore financial centre.

Thanks to the sudden realisation that effective communication and proactive media engagement is vital. The price to pay for such lackadaisical attitude must be high.

FYI, all those humungous funds to the tune of billions and trillions are not parked in Cayman Islands physically or in gold bullions. The figures may just appear on computer screens and the attraction to go 'Cayman Islands' could just be the tax structure and 'no questions asked' framework. Whether this is good or bad is another issue.

Ok, Cayman Island is an offshore financial centre and 1MDB decided to park some big funds there, but why not park the funds in our very own Labuan offshore financial centre? I asked an investment bankers and he shot back ' bro, we can't compare a Myvi to a Mercedes...could we? I rest my case.

Repeated calls (via previous postings) have been made to those who are supposed to be in-charge of the Prime Minister's communications and the PM himself to come out and explain all about 1MDB before the mud hardens. But all such calls not only fell on deaf ears but those who highlighted the matter were branded as anti-government, anti-Najib and even anti-Rosmah writers and bloggers.

It must be admitted that the 'dirty' image 1MDB is trying to vehemently shake off today is there due to the epic failure of the media team. The media team often repeated mantra was about what CANNOT be done and not about how best to explain the situation.

The media team's failure is blaming the man instead of trying to convince him on the need to be transparent.

I guess this happens when you have one too many yes-man and seat-warmers around you. The least they could have done was to point toCayman Islandson the map. Many a journalist wouldn't mind a familiarisation tour, I'm sure.

1MDB's CSR programmes like community projects in rural Sarawak or how many village heads and JKKK guys were sent to the Holy land was never an issue. Attempts to sidetrack main concerns, by repeatedly highlighting CSR, appeared more like sinister moves to camouflage. A big bulk of the suspicion was self generated, apart from the fact that the auditing job changed hands a couple of times.

Well, its good that finally more information is trickling out about 1MDB, especially often repeated endorsement, validation and explanation as to why Cayman Islands is not all that notorious.

I hope my ex-boss, who would most likely be the scapegoat in 1MDB's media failure, again, doesn't get offended coz I'm well aware of his predicament. (... and no, he didn't ask me to write this ;-) as Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor didn't ask me to promote her to be the next Prime Minister - as in my recent posting)

BTW, 1MDB chairman of the Board of Advisors decision to take DAP's Tony Pua to task is indeed a good move.

If Tony Pua is man enough, then this would be another golden opportunity for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and all his men in 1MDB to clear the air once and for all.

Try not to place the burden of 'communicating' squarely on the shoulder of the media team again for they may even consider taking the media for a Haj pilgrimage instead of explaining issues at hand.

Note: A gentle reminder to those on media overdrive to unmask Cayman Islands and all those scary stories about 1MDB. Stick to facts and try not to make general demeaning statements against critics. You may end up creating more troubles for the PM. Thank you.

Tuesday, 11 November 2014

YTL Communications fined RM2.4 million by Education Ministry over 1BestariNet

Yes4G WiMAX Internet Service Provider (ISP), YTL Communications Sdn Bhd has been fined RM2.4 million by the Malaysia Ministry of Education(MoE) for failing to provide all 10,000 schools with the 1BestariNet e-learning project, according to reports today.

In response to findings from the Auditor-General’s 2013 Report (Series 3) released today, the Ministry said YTL Communications (YTLC), the company which was awarded the project, had yet to equip 1,003 schools with the service as it had not obtained a permit for the construction of telecommunications towers, specifically in Sarawak, Penang and Kelantan.

“Due to the delays, the government had fined YTL Communications RM2.4 million on October 27, 2014,” the Education Ministry said in a statement.

For those schools which have yet to be connected with the service, the Ministry has provided interim internet service from other service providers (USB dongles,etc) so that these schools can continue its online learning activities.

As of September 17, some 8,886 schools were equipped with the 1BestariNet infrastructure with wireless connectivity.

The Auditor-General’s (A-G) report also revealed today that the Internet connection to 4,176 users of the RM663 million 1BestariNet project was delayed by between 12 and 439 days, with no time extension or fines levied.

The A-G also said that 89.1% of the 46 schools surveyed and 70.3% of the 491 feedback received by the schools found that 1BestariNet coverage does not cover the school’s entire compound and total Internet speeds up to 4Mbps was unsatisfactory.

The rental price of RM1,000 per year for each site of the 1BestariNet Receiver Integrated System (1BRIS) throughout the country was unreasonable.

“MOE should charge rental according to the rental rate that had been proposed by the Valuation and Property Services Department (JPPH) and utility to the contractor for 1BestariNet Receiver Integrated System (1BRIS) that is built in the school compounds,” said the report.

The audit added that the antivirus software supplied was not used either.

Never mind the fact that the Government ONLY fined YTL on the 27th of October - thats roughly two weeks or so before the Auditor General's report was made public. As a journalist I would suspect that the Education Ministry ONLY decided to fine YTL Communications AFTER the y came to know of the AG's report. That is my suspicion.

In Bahasa Melayu the word 'bestari' means intelligent.

bestari - intelligent , educated , knowledgeable.

intellectual - bestari, pandai, bijaksana

intelligentsia - kelompok kaum bestari, golongan cerdik pandai

After having dutifully fined YTL Communications a mere RM2.4million for such sheer incompetence and shameful failure, the next possible face-saving measure the Education Ministry could consider is to change the name of the entire project.

This cannot be 'bestari' by ANY standards.

p/s Have you guys ever thought what the young, their teachers and parents in these schools would think about the Education Ministry and the Government?

You may agree or disagree with the Pahang Mentri Besar but hear what he has to say first. Hear him first as there are fears of attempts to tarnish his image and push him out of the MB seat by forces within the state and some brokers from Putrajaya.

The latest mud flood incident a few days ago highlighted the scourge of illegal land clearing and a very high number of foreign workers in the highlands. These issues are reportedly being politicised to attack the MB.

Talk also has it that Long Nan, as Adnan is known among close circles, enjoys greater support from Istana Pahang than some impatient Umno leaders within and outside Pahang.

Long Nan certainly wasn't jumping up and down, throwing tantrums as portrayed in some WhatsApp and Telegram circles.

p/s Jangan cari kambing hitam. Scapegoat kata orang putih. Don't cloud the scene, there are bigger issues at hand for Umno during the upcoming General Assembly.

Tuesday, 4 November 2014

Last week, 31 Oct to be exact, was Indira Gandhi's 30th death anniversary. To those of you who don't read much and are not interested in history, Indira Gandhi was India's only woman Prime Minister. She was shot dead in 1984.She was known as the Iron Lady of India. India never dreamt of a woman PM until Indira made her way to the top most seat, twice, and brought about changes and development which men couldn't accomplish. - Indira Gandhi’s 30th Death Anniversary: Remembering top 5 quotes of the first female Prime Minister of India So, the idea of having a woman Prime Minister is certainly not a bad idea after all and I think the time has come for Malaysia to seriously consider identifying a suitable woman to lead us in future.Malaysia is certainly ready for a woman PM despite the fact that Datin Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail was recently rejected as MB of Selangor candidate as I believe Wan Azizah was rejected not because she was a woman.

Currently the only woman leader with Indira Gandhi-like resolve and leadership qualities is Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.While in the past I admit to have scoffed at the idea of Datin Seri Rosmah as a politicians or candidate during general elections, I have now come to terms that Datin Seri Rosmah might in fact be the right leader for us. The right leader we need.This is certainly not an attempt to topple the Prime Minister and please allow me to state my opinion without having to continuously ward off senseless cyberdogs who think they are cyberwarriors. Please, lets have some room for plain intellectual discourse.We must admit that Umno and Barisan Nasional needs a strong leader with steely resolve, commitment, intellectual capacity, leadership and a no-nonsense political approach.Don't state Islam as a hindrance because even Bangladesh has had/been having a woman leader for a long time.

If Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor could be a pillar of strength to the Prime Minister and hold him up for so long, I'm sure she is more than qualified to be our first woman Prime Minister. She is certainly a person who doesn't tolerate or give room to nonsense.If there is a will, there will certain be a way of how we could together persuade Datin Seri Rosmah to consider this humble, sincere suggestion.I have nothing but the best interest of this nation at heart and I re-iterate that under the current political situation Datin Seri Rosmah is the only person who could hold the fort and prevent Barisan Nasional / Umno from becoming an Opposition party in Malaysia after the next general elections.The upcoming Umno general assembly could start the ball rolling. Think about it.Wallahua’lam

Sunday, 2 November 2014

[caption id="attachment_1480" align="aligncenter" width="540"] The PM is also UMNO President[/caption]

I thank an anonymous commenter to a link which led to the following 'hidden treasures'. The approx RM240,000 a month contract - approx RM1.4 million for SIX MONTHS - is certainly earth shattering by any standards.

What is even worse is that the Malaysian Government is being accused of directly employing a former APCO operative in the Prime Minister's Office.

So, why is the Government of Malaysia via the Prime Minister's Office employing a former APCO operative? Wasn't APCO's contracts not renewed due to their links to war criminals and the Zionist state of Israel?

In 2009 this former APCO operative was paid approx RM1.4 million for only SIX MONTHS. How much does it cost the Government of Malaysia now for keeping this British Advisor for the Prime Minister?

Datuk Seri Najib Razak certainly owes us an explanation as to why this sovereign, independent nation's Prime Minister still requires a British Advisor by his side.... 57 years after Merdeka. I thought we are no longer a British colony.

What happened to the PM's long list of local Press secretaries and media advisors. Even a former NST Group Editor is in the PM's team, so why the need to maintain (and pay) for an advisor from our colonial masters?

Maybe its time for Najib's long time Press Secretary turned Media Director to clarify if the above letter that reveals a USD 420,000 SIX MONTH contract for a British Advisor is indeed genuine or is a falsified piece of document to defame the Prime Minister and his Media Director.

Please tell us if the Government of Malaysia has indeed employed a British Advisor for the Prime Minister of Malaysia. If the above letter and information, and the former APCO operative's latest calling card below, is not true I'll retract and run an apology.